While New York City is the epitome of an urban jungle with all its towering skyscrapers and large malls, you can still find some quiet oases of greenery tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Weather permitting, you’ll find that the parks make a great spot for a relaxing picnic or an outdoor exercise corner. No trip to NYC is complete without visiting at least one of the lovely parks!

1. Central Park

59th to 110th Street, Manhattan Borough, from Central Park West to 5th Avenue, New York City, NY 10022

This is probably the first park that comes to mind when the topic of parks in NYC comes up, and for good reason. Central Park is one of the largest parks in the area and it’s a stunning place to be in during the autumn, when the leaves of the deciduous trees start to change colour. There are tons of things to do in the park, from jogging to rollerblading and cycling, plus there are many great picnic spots too. The park isn’t short of attractions as well – you wouldn’t want to miss out on a visit to the Boathouse beside the lake, or the stunning Victorian-like Belvedere Castle with architecture that dates back to 1865.

2. Fort Tryon Park

Riverside, Dr To Broadway, New York, NY 10040, USA

Expect to do a lot of walking in this park as they have plenty of well-demarcated footpaths that lead to Heather Garden – the largest garden in the city. If you appreciate history, you are sure to love the Cloisters, which houses European-inspired medieval buildings.

3. Riverside Park

475 Riverside Dr, New York City, NY 10115-0002, USA

Here is where you can jog with a view – one side of this linear park faces the Hudson river while the other is flanked by beautiful elm trees that provide shade for visitors. The best part about Riverside Park is that it’s within walking distance of Central Park, yet is much less crowded.

4. Prospect Park

Brooklyn, NY 11225, USA

While Riverside Park is akin to one long winding path, Prospect Park in contrast is a wide and open area so there’s plenty of space to organise picnics and other social gatherings. You can also rent a paddle boat at the lake here if you’re up for some physical activity.

5. Washington Square Park

New York, NY 10012, USA

Washington Square Park is the epitome of an urban park – you can still see the city skyline from inside the park and instead of a lake, there’s a large man-made fountain that kids flock to during hot summer days. The Park is also home to the Washington Square Arch which lies as a tribute to the first American President, George Washington.

NYC may be a concrete jungle through and through, but the city isn’t without its share of luscious greenery. While the parks here may not be the richest in terms of biodiversity, they are definitely unique in how they blend the cityscape with nature. Don’t leave the city without taking in at least one walk in any of these fabulous parks!